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開智国際日本語学校(Kaichi International School of Japanese)
Jul. 26, 2021
[English/Japanese] The Olympics have finally arrived in Japan. Although the atmosphere is quieter than usual because of the coronavirus pandemic, people across Japan are excited by the day-after-day intense competition. In this article, I will introduce Japan’s distinctive event culture. Usually reserved people transform! Traditional Festivals In summer, festivals take place across Japan. These events are popular with foreign tourists, who often say that festival scenes look completely different from the everyday Japan they expect. At many Japanese festivals, groups of people carry a small shrine called a mikoshi through the streets. Those carrying the mikoshi shout loudly and sometimes collide with other mikoshi, creating an appearance of roughness. Men who normally wear suits may take part wearing only underwear, appearing nearly naked. Perhaps because people feel freer on festival days, manners sometimes loosen and fights can break out. A similar phenomenon occurs with Halloween. Over the last decade more people in Japan have enjoyed Halloween events, but bad manners make the news every year. Japanese people often endure a lot of stress, and festivals may serve as an outlet. Be careful if you join in! Valentine’s Day: The Chocolate Wars Who do you give Valentine’s Day gifts to in your country, and what do you give? When we ask our students, many answer, “I give a bouquet to a woman on Valentine’s Day.” Japan is different. In Japan, Valentine’s Day is a day when women give chocolate to men. That is why department stores begin selling high-end chocolates from late January. Men feel anxious and restless on the morning of February 14. Do men who receive many chocolates feel happy? Not always. Moreover, March 14 is called White Day, when people are expected to return the gifts they received on Valentine’s Day. It is tacitly understood that on White Day you should give a gift worth three times the price of the chocolate you received on Valentine’s Day. Do you still want to receive chocolates? Who do you spend Christmas with? In your country, who do you spend Christmas with? In Japan, Christmas is commonly celebrated as a day for couples. Also, people in Japan tend to eat fried chicken rather than turkey at Christmas. Most who celebrate Christmas in Japan are Buddhists, so the holiday can seem strange to foreigners. Then, on December 26, the city’s Christmas atmosphere disappears and the mood instantly shifts to New Year preparations. Obon: Welcoming the Spirits of the Dead In mid‑August there is Obon, a time to welcome the dead. During Obon, families clean graves and invite the spirits of ancestors back into their homes. Mysterious figures are made for the occasion: a horse figure created by piercing a cucumber with chopsticks, and a cow figure made by piercing an eggplant with chopsticks. The dead are said to ride the “horse” home and the “cow” back to the land of the dead. In some regions, lanterns called toro are floated down rivers to mourn the deceased. The sight is sad but beautiful. What do you do during Obon in your country? Have you learned anything new about events in Japan? At our school we hold seasonal activities and ceremonies. Learning about Japanese events is also a way to learn about the Japanese spirit. Please try to take part.
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  • Japan
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モノノメ
Jun. 22, 2021
Narai, Shiojiri, Nagano It is a post town located right in the middle of the Nakasendō, and has been selected as a national important preservation district for groups of traditional buildings, and is a place where you can see traditional buildings. It has also been featured on numerous TV programs. In the warmer months, you can see them wearing yukata and kimono while taking pictures, In winter, the Ice Candle Festival every February is held and the whole town is bathed in warm light, so you can enjoy it no matter what season you go. It is also an area where craftsmen gather, so I think it's good to look around at their works. When the corona calms down, please take a leisurely walk. #After Corona#Nagano#Shiojiri City#Narai-juku#Yukata#Kimono#Ice Candle
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  • AfterCorona
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Dylan Gibson
May. 31, 2021
What a great photo of Heian Jingu. I haven't had the chance to visit this one in Kyoto unfortunately, too entranced by Kiyomizudera I suppose. I really need to check out Heian Jingu though, I always enjoy seeing photos of it. I really love how open the courtyard is and seeing the large torii gate is always cool as well. I'd really like to take a stroll through the garden here as well, it's supposed to be pretty incredible from what I've heard. Really tranquil no doubt. I know there are some ponds or at least one pond, I'm not sure if it has any koi in it though, Although I'm sure there are as most gardens seems to have them, plus they're really beautiful so it'd be a shame not to have them. I knew there was a festival here that's supposed to be really awesome but couldn't remember the name so I had to look it up. The Reisai Festival - Supposed to be really great for seeing Geiko and Maiko and hearing some traditional instruments like the shamisen
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Unknown
May. 30, 2021
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  • Kyoto Prefecture
  • Traditional culture
  • Shrine
  • Japan
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  • Geiko
幸*
May. 13, 2021
Koedogawagoe Walk Japanese candle HAZE Be healed by candlelight It's not about things to give Lighting time Japanese candles bought as memories Seasonal Japanese candle "See you tomorrow" I want to visit again after corona Japanese candle HAZE "See you tomorrow." Instead of saying goodbye, the word "see you tomorrow" is a wish for a reunion. The time when all mankind communicates with each other True peace comes. “See you tomorrow” Not to mean “good-bye” but a word that looks forward to a “reunion.” When we exchange the words “See you tomorrow” between all mankind, this is when true peace comes.
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  • AfterCorona
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